Najib Razak hopes the Selangor government will take action to overcome the problem of uncontrolled sand mining in the state which has angered the people.

The prime minister said the Selangor government which had jurisdiction over the matter, should have monitored the situation and check the problem as it could cause serious damage to the environment.

"The people are angry and they are seeing this (issue) as a weakness on the part of the state government."

azlan Najib said this after attending the Treasury's monthly assembly and presentation of excellent service awards and the 5S renewed certification in Putrajaya today.

He was asked by the media to comment on uncontrolled sand mining in a number of locations in Selangor of late.

About 20 hectares of land, only about 50 metres from the Paya Indah Wetlands recreational park in Dengkil has been encroached by sand mining that threatens the park's ecology.

The sand mining activity, believed to be on government land, has been going on since two weeks ago and it was said that 10 million tonnes of sand worth RM220 million had been dug out from there.

Wildlife threatened

The uncontrolled sand mining also threatens the habitats of various species of birds and other wildlife such as otters and wild boars in the area. There are also signs of oil spills in the park area believed to be left by repair works on the sand excavating machines.

Selangor Menteri Besar had yesterday admitted that the state government was aware of the reported sand mining activity through its subsidiary company, Kumpulan Semesta Sdn Bhd.

He had said the company had the permit to mine sand and that the actual location was in Kampung Olak Lempit, Mukim Tanjung 12, Kuala Langat and not in Bukit Changgang as reported by the media.

Najib said uncontrolled sand mining was a slap in the face for the Selangor government.

He said what was happening was really terrible and should be checked.

- Bernama